Chapter 4

Samuel Gilbert's eyes were bloodshot, his whole face taut with fury.

Even after the security footage came back clean.

He still refused to believe it.

On the spot, he ordered a new set of problems.

This time, I finished the paper in even less time.

"All correct."

The teacher grading it drew in a sharp breath.

Then looked at me with sheer disbelief.

As if I were some kind of monster.

These problems had been set by Samuel Gilbert himself, right there in the room.

Hearing the result, even he froze.

He snatched up my paper and pored over it again and again, muttering, "That's impossible…"

The problems he'd set, I'd seen at a glance were beyond the syllabus.

University-level material.

But to me, someone who had already earned a doctorate in my past life.

It was nothing.

"How did you do this?"

He turned back to me, unable to believe it.

I looked at him calmly. "Has my third uncle forgotten his promise from the start?"

He gritted his teeth, and though he clearly hated it, he lowered his head to me all the same.

A murmur ran through everyone watching.

And just like that, I got into Westfield Preparatory.

The senior elite class.

But before I could even tell Mom the good news.

I'd just gotten home from school when the grim air in the living room stopped me cold.

"These earrings were left to us by Mother before she passed. Dad has always treasured them. If you liked them, sister, all you had to do was tell me. I have plenty of jewelry in my room."

"Why resort to something as shameful as stealing?"

"Now the earrings are ruined, and the last thing Mother left behind is gone with them. Think how heartbroken Dad must be."

Layla's voice was thick with hurt.

Mom stood off to the side, shoulders drawn in tight, fingers twisted together, lips trembling as she tried to explain, "I didn't."

"Enough!"

Dominic cut her off and shot to his feet.

His hand swung across Mom's face.

"I must have been blind, honoring Maggie's dying wish and bringing back an ungrateful daughter like you."

"Get out of this house, now!"

"Someone take her to the police, and let them deal with her by the book!"

The servants rushed forward and pinned Mom's arms.

They were about to drag her out.

In my last life, this was the moment Mom's mind began to break.

And my sister was dragged down with her.

No!

I could not let this happen.

I rushed forward, shoved them aside, and planted myself in front of Mom. "Grandfather, I have something to say!"